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In this issue... |
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In this newsletter I will share with you some very important tips and information about the PMP exam changes that will take effect on the 31st of August 2011. What does this really mean for you? Read my thoughts in this week's article.
Also let me share with you how one of our products, The PM Prepcast has helped Jürgen Ekert pass the PMP exam.
And as always you'll find our recommended study material, exam tips and PMP exam sample question to help you pass the PMP exam the easy way.
Enjoy!
Until Next Time,
Cornelius Fichtner, PMP
President, OSP International LLC
PS. Let me remind you of the gantthead PMXPO2011: gantthead is once again excited to be bringing you our annual virtual conference and exhibition on May 19th. Learn, network, earn PDUs and gain valuable knowledge from the comfort of your home, office or somewhere in between. Registration is free.
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Recommended Study Materials
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PMP Certification Training by Training Camp
Training Camp is a comprehensive training program for both the Project Management Professional (PMP) and the Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) Certification that focuses on preparing you in the skills required to pass the certification exams. Training Camp is recognized by the Project Management Institute (PMI) as a Global Registered Education Provider, and a market leader in delivering the critical details for a successful accelerated learning experience.
The Training Camp course includes a pre-class digital overview to fully prepare you for the course and enabling you to schedule the exam prior to the course. This is a very important aspect especially for those taking certification exams for the first time. You will also get a copy of "A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge Fourth Edition" (PMBOK Guide). The program also includes a Training Camp Proprietary and PMI Accredited Curriculum taught by PMP certified subject matter experts and a step by step video tutorial instruction for PMI application.
After you attended the Training Camp program, you'll get Post Class extra lessons. You will get an E-Certificate from Training Camp for 35 contact hours of PMP Exam Preparation, an Exam preparation software with 800 plus questions and a post-class Schedule Development and Control "Meeting in a Box" to facilitate a session with Project Team Members worth 10 PDUs towards maintaining your certification.
Learn more about the Training Camp Certification Courses by visiting the following link: http://www.trainingcamp.com/global/itandmanagement/management/projectmanagement/pmp4.aspx
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The PMP Exam Changes On 31 August 2011. What This Means For You. |
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 Every five to seven years, the Project Management Institute (PMI) performs a Role Delineation Study to determine authority ("the role"), responsibilities & duties of project managers today. The findings are then used to update the Project Management Professional (PMP) Exam. In this way, PMI ensures that the PMP Exam is a reflection of what project managers actually do in the field. If PMI didn't regularly go through this process adding new elements and removing old ones, then you would still be tested on outdated methods that were used in the 1980s when the first PMP exam was given.
PMI completed their latest study at the end of 2010. The findings will lead to an update in the PMP Exam on 31 August 2011. Let's look at what this means to you.
The PMBOK Guide Is Not Changing
First of all and most importantly: There is NO change to the PMBOK Guide. The PMP Exam is currently based on the PMBOK Guide 4th Edition. The 5th edition is scheduled for publication at the end of 2012. This means that the PMP Exam will continue to be largely based on the 4th edition until sometime in 2013. Therefore, everyone preparing for the PMP Exam can continue to do so using the PMBOK Guide 4th edition until 2013.
The Exam Format Is Not Changing
The PMP Exam will continue to be a computer-based exam, and you have four hours to answer 200 multiple-choice questions.
The Score Report is Not Changing
PMI stated "At this time, PMI does not anticipate any changes will be made to the PMP score report". This suggests that the way the passing score is determined will remain the same.
The Eligibility Requirements Are Not Changing
The education and experience eligibility requirements for the PMP Exam will remain the same. Please read the eligibility section of the PMP Credential Handbook for the details.
The Exam Changes on 31 August 2011. Period.
The new exam will be rolled out on 31 August 2011 and the last day on which you can take the exam under the current specifications is on 30 August 2011. No exceptions.
Professional & Social Responsibility Will Be Integrated
In the current exam format Professional and Social Responsibility is tested as a separate domain. The Role Delineation Study showed that Professional and Social Responsibility is integrated into all of the work of project management and cannot be seen as separate. The Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct should therefore be viewed and tested as an integrated part of a project manager's day-to-day work.
For the new exam, students will have to understand the effects of Professional and Social Responsibility on their daily tasks. Exam questions will ask about ethical considerations during procurement, mix social responsibility with team management and test your application of professional responsibility in a written status report.
Studying, understanding and living the Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct in your daily work as a project manager will have a much higher importance for the exam.
The Content Of Your Study Materials Will Change
PMI has communicated the detailed changes to the new exam to all Registered Education Providers (R.E.P.s). It is their responsibility to ensure that the content of their training materials is updated. As a student, you should not worry about this. You have a right to expect that your provider ensures that your training materials have the right content for the exam you are taking.
Recommendations For PMP Students
1. Take The Exam Before The Change:
If you are currently studying for the PMP Exam then plan your studies in such a way that you can take the exam before 31 July 2011. The new exam comes into effect on 31 August 2011 and scheduling your exam one month before this date will give you 30 days to retake the exam in case you fail on your first attempt.
2. Use Study Materials From PMI Registered Education Providers (PMI R.E.P.):
PMI R.E.P.s are working hard to update their study materials to the new standard and PMI is supporting them in this effort. PMP students should not worry about the changes of the exam content at all. Instead, make sure to purchase study materials from a PMI R.E.P. and ask them to confirm that the materials which you have ordered are right for you based on your scheduled exam date. You need current materials if your exam is scheduled on or before 30 August 2011 and you need updated materials if your exam is on or after 31 August 2011.
3. Read The FAQ:
PMI has prepared a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page. Reading it will help you to better understand what's coming.
4. Read PMI's Study Tips:
I recommend that you take a look at the PMP Study Tips Page that PMI prepared on their website.
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Manage The Time During Your PMP Exam
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 Manage your time properly when answering questions during the PMP Exam.
Watch this video we have prepared for you: http://bit.ly/hWG1Dw
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Sample PMP Exam Question
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You are managing a construction project and your project budget is $20,000. You have spent $17,000 so far and the project is 75% complete. A new project budget of $25,000 has been approved. What should be your cost performance if you want to complete your project within the new approved budget?
A. 1.667
B. 0.882
C. 0.625
D. 0.521
Hint: Calculate the TCPI based on EAC
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Exam Tip: Create a "Battle Plan" for the exam
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The Project Management exam is the hottest certifications exam today. It is the most challenging project management certification exams to prepare for. This is because most of those thinking about taking this exam are at the stage of their career when they are already working full time and then they try to find the time to study for their certification.
If you think that the PMP Certification exam is your average college test where you can cram yet still get high marks, then think again. The PMP exam is anything but easy. It is an experience-based exam in a 200-question, four-hour computerized format. When you are studying for the exam, you could answer the sample questions easily enough in the comfort of your own room with no ticking clocks, no distractions and no security cameras pointing at you. However, during the actual examination, you will find yourself in a radically different setting.
Think of it as the battleground and you as the soldier. And any good soldier would create a battle plan before the exam. He knows that planning can spell the difference between passing and failing. You have to formulate strategies in terms of how to answer and review the questions, how to ease the tension from your body and how to replenish your energy. Your battle plan will seve as your guide during the exam and will help you focus on the task ahead of you. With a battle plan, you will be able to breeze through your exams knowing that you have everything under control and and can maximize the time allotted for you to finish the exam within the allowable period.
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Solution
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The correct answer is: C
Reference: PMBOK4 - pg:185
Explanation: Since you need to calculate your desired future cost performance, you should calculate the TCPI based on EAC by the formula TCPI = (BAC-EV)/(EAC-AC) = (20,000 - 15,000) / (25,000 - 17,000) = 5,000/8,000 = 0.625. Choice C is the correct answer to this question.
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Lessons Learned from Jürgen Ekert |
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Hi Cornelius,
After learning for 3 month I went for the exam and successfully passed.
The PM Prepcast did help me very much to diggest a lot of topics and to get the knowledge around. Your tips are so helpful and give good insights for the exam.
The way I did prepare (3 month):
- Read and use parts of the PMBOK in my daily PM live (over the last 4 years)
- Listening to The PM Prepcast
- I went for a Prepclass with Oliver Lehmann. Oliver said that now the learning will begin and it takes around 100 h. Now afterwards I can say he was right.
- Read the Rita Mulcahy Prep Book
- During the preparation the whole 3 month I was listening to the PMPodcast and the audio book of Rita
- Do practise exams to get a feeling. I did approximately 1000 exam questions.
- Read the whole PMBok guide again. Just one week before the exam. This did really help to increase my knowledge and especially the PMIism
Some hints:
- a detailed study plan helps you to reach the goal within a certain time frame
- in the Exam introduction use the brain dump sheet as Cornelius was recommending
- I finished the exam 10 min early in the test center in Geneva (Switzerland)
To know by heart:
- Formulas
- p43 of the PMBok
As a summary I can say this is one of the best courses and exams I have taken. The test is good and really tests your knowledge.
I have to thank 3 people for achieving this result: Rita Mulcahy, Cornelius Fichtner and Oliver Lehman. Thank you very much.
All the best to everybody who is learning.
Cheers,
Jürgen
Read more success stories here...
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